During pregnancy, hemorrhoids can develop as a result of hormonal changes, pressure from the growing baby on the rectal veins, lack of physical activity, and constipation. After pregnancy, women can still have hemorrhoids. In a study of 280 women who gave birth, 43 percent developed postpartum hemorrhoids.
Experts believe that postpartum hemorrhoids are a result of constipation during pregnancy and pushing for more than 20 minutes during delivery.
Both of these conditions can add pressure on the veins in the rectum or anus. These veins have valves that help regulate the flow of blood towards the heart. When there’s too much pressure on these veins, their valves can weaken, causing the blood to pool into the veins. This causes the veins to swell (it’s similar to what happens with varicose veins).
Symptoms of Postpartum Hemorrhoids
If you develop postpartum hemorrhoids, you may experience the following symptoms:
• Pain and itchiness in the anal area
• Bleeding during bowel movements (this depends on what type of hemorrhoids you have)
• Sensitive lumps near the anus
What to do with Postpartum Hemorrhoids
The specialists at Premier Surgical Hemorrhoid Treatment Center in Knoxville have several suggestions to alleviate the discomfort caused by postpartum hemorrhoids:
• Adding more fiber in your diet
High-fiber foods such as legumes, broccoli, green peas, whole grains, pears, and apples can help you stay regular. Remember, constipation is a big contributing factor to hemorrhoids. If you can prevent that from happening, you can keep your hemorrhoids from flaring up.
• Drinking more water
Just like with fiber in your diet, sufficient hydration is also important in helping you stay regular. If you’re breastfeeding, it’s recommended to drink at least eight glasses of water a day.
• Keep moving
Even gentle stretches can make a difference in keeping you from getting constipated. Another good beginner’s exercise is walking. However, if you just gave birth, make sure you seek your doctor’s approval before you start any exercise regimen.
• Apply ice
Cold gel pads on the area can help in the healing and relieving the discomfort from hemorrhoids. Make sure that you wrap it with a cloth so it won’t get in-contact with your skin. Aim to do it for 20 to 30 minutes at a time, several times a day.
• Soak in a warm water
This is another good way to relieve the discomfort from hemorrhoids. Simply fill your tub with warm water and soak for 15 minutes, several times a day.
When to see a specialist
If you’ve tried the above remedies but the hemorrhoids are still painful and/or not going away, seeing a hemorrhoid specialist is the way to go.
Premier Surgical Hemorrhoid Treatment Center in Knoxville, TN offers an effective laser treatment for lasting comfort. The non-invasive, non-surgical procedure, IRC, makes hemorrhoid relief quicker, easier and virtually pain-free.
Infrared Coagulation (IRC) is the world’s leading office treatment for hemorrhoids, involving a small laser probe that exposes the vein above the hemorrhoid to short bursts of warm light, causing the hemorrhoid to shrink and recede. This procedure is totally safe for new moms! Now that your child is born, there’s no need to worry about causing you or your child any harm from the use of the laser.
Learn more about non-surgical laser hemorrhoid treatment at Premier Surgical Hemorrhoid Treatment Center by visiting this link.
Don’t let hemorrhoids ruin this wonderful phase of motherhood. To request an appointment, please visit this link or call our Confidential Hemorrhoid Hotline at (865) 588-9952.